sexual rights

‘The internet is an unregulated space where you can connect to other people… It is a new frontier, it is a new imagination that makes things possible… It is this space that is so central to our existence and being.’ – Jac sm Kee, APC Women´s Rights Programme

How does the relationship between sexuality and the internet play out in different countries? What does this mean for sexual rights?

Do you know how to use your web browser in a secure manner? What is the benefit of adding that “s” after http? Are you aware of the security features on the email you use? What sensitive data do you keep about you or your community, and what would people have access to if your computer, laptop or mobile phone was stolen?

Within the arena of ‘women, sexuality and the internet’, the usual suspects of pornography, indecency, and non-consensual videography are often the first topics that come to mind. But women aren’t just subjects on the internet – they are users, too.

When most people think about women and technology, the two things may seem incongruent: a cartoon visualisation of a woman struggling to use the toaster; a joke about women drivers; female executives calling in ‘the IT guys’ to fix their computers.

Bringing together sexual rights activists, women’s groups and internet activists, the first EROTICS India workshop – organised by Point of View, APC (Association for Progressive Communications) and the Internet Democracy Project – explored the relationship between sexual rights activism, sexuality, and the Internet.

Are you member of a non-governmental or a community-based organisation? Are you an academic or a researcher? Do you work within networks or coalitions? Are you an independent blogger? If you are a sexuality rights activist and you use the internet in your work, this call is for you.

#EROTICSIndia was organised in Delhi recently by the Internet Democracy Project with APC and Point of View from Mumbai. During the many outstanding sessions developed during the encounter, it was clear that sexual and gender minorities are using the internet to advocate for sexual citizenship.

APC, in partnership with Point of View and the Internet Democracy Project, is conducting a workshop in Delhi, India, from 25 – 28 February 2013. More than 20 sexual and internet rights organisations are discussing ways to resist content regulation and increasing their knowledge of online security and privacy.